2008-04-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

COLOMBIA TRAVEL INFO

Hello All,

This message (last update Feb.6,2007) is directed at cruising vessels currently visiting the coast of Colombia or planning to do so. It originates specifically from a recent meeting in Cartagena of cruisers, local sailors, and the representatives of the Colombian Coast Guard and Cartagena Port Captain's office. The meeting was called to provide information to cruisers about the route to use between Cartagena and the Panamanian border (east end of San Blas Islands) that permits navigation with a minimum of overnight segments, and also to brief cruisers on the safety of this route.

(This information may also be found at http://www.destinationcartagena.com/coast+guard-cruiser+alliance.html . Please help propagate this email to any boats that you know that are either cruising the Colombian coast or are on their way.)

Following is:

1. A brief recap of the meeting

2. A summary of the recommended route from Cartagena to Zapsurro (Panamanian border.)

3. Three formats in English and Spanish that can be cut and pasted into emails for making various types of contact with the Colombian Coast Guard.

It is important to understand that your contact with the Coast Guard is totally VOLUNTARY. These are NOT OBLIGATORY PROCEDURES, but rather an opportunity for cruisers to take advantage of the Colombian Coast Guard's sincere offer to be their ally and provide support and security while they are in Colombian waters.

MEETING (Cartagena, Jan.7, 2007)

Present:

Aproximately 40 cruisers from boats in Cartagena at that date

Capt. Miguel Vargas, Commandant, Caribbean Coast, Colombian Coast Guard <>

Lt. Leonardo Marriaga, Small Craft Coordinator, Cartagena Port Captain's Office <>

Linda and Doug Reinthal, s/v Que Linda <>

Lee Miles, local sailor and coordinator <>

Suggested Route for the Colombia Coast Between Cartagena and Panama

A presentation was made by Linda,Doug and Lee of the route recommended for the Colombian coast between Cartagena and the Panamanian border. It was suggested that you consider making the trip with intemediate stops in Islas del Rosario, Islas San Bernardo (Tintipan Is.) and/or Punta San Bernardo, Isla Fuerte, and Zapsurro Bay (Colombian side of border,next to Cabo Tiburon). Only the final leg requires an overnight passage.

The Port Captain's Office of Cartagena and the Colombia Coast Guard indicate that they are prepared to provide support for boats along this route. Each of the officials in turn reiterated his pleasure that cruisers are considering visiting these coastal islands.

The Coast Guard asks that you help them provide better support by:

1. Filing a VOLUNTARY float plan or itinerary with Port Captain's office

2. Reporting your departure upon getting your anchor up in Cartagena

3. Reporting any suspicious vessel or activity anywhere you see it

File VOLUNTARY float plan (by e- mail --format below--, or when getting your zarpe)

Indicate your intended itinerary from Cartagena until leaving Colombian waters. Those boats leaving the Netherland Antilles or elsewhere headed for Colombian waters may do so as well, to the same address. The Port Captain emphasizes that this is not a requirement. Port Captain’s Office email: <>. You can fill out the Spanish version of the format below and cut and paste it into a message to the Port Captain's Office; the English version should help you understand what you are declaring.

Procedure for reporting departure: (#2 above):

Call for "Guardacostas" ("Goo-AHR-dah-COAST-Ah") on Channel 16

They will answer and ask you to change channel, normally to Channel 14 (Kah-TORE-Say).

Indicate the name of your vessel, your current position, and which way you plan to exit the Bay of Cartagena (BocaChica or BocaGrande)

The format of their normal sequence of information requested is included below.

Procedure for reporting suspicious activity: (#3 above):

At any time you may call on Channel 16. Between Cartagena and Panama there are Coast Guard stations at Islas del Rosario, Coveñas (which covers both Islas San Bernardo and Isla Fuerte), and in Turbo in the Gulf of Urabá (which covers Zapsurro Bay). There are significant gaps in the coverage of VHF along the coast, although the fixed stations are supplemented by Coast Guard units that are constantly on patrol. You may send a confidencial email to <>. This address can be used for communications relevant to all locations along the Colombian Caribbean coast from Venezuela to Panama.

The Port Captaincy and Coast Guard officials have expressed in the strongest terms their hopes that you have an enjoyable experience in Cartagena and along the Colombian coast. Without wanting to restrict your movements, they ask that you keep them informed of where you are and where you are headed so that they are better prepared to provide support.

If you wish to contact the Commander, Caribbean, Colombia Coast Guard in person: (currently Cpt. Miguel Vargas) ; or the Commanding Officer, Cartagena Station: (currently Capt. Harry Reina)

Cel phone: +57 (300) 710-1668

Direct telephone: +57 (5) 655-0315 (Coast Guard Station, Cartagena)

(Please note: "57" is the Colombia country code; "5" is Cartagena city code)

The civilian coordinator in Cartagena, who will be happy to answer questions, or forward a new copy of this notice:

Lee Miles

Website: www.DestinationCartagena.com

Following are the three reporting formats in English and Spanish. It is suggested you fill out the Spanish version, but you can see the English translation immediately below.

-------------------------------

TO REPORT FLOAT PLAN (ITINERARY) TO PORT CAPTAIN'S OFFICE, CARTAGENA

Email To: navesmcp05@dimar.mil.co

Subj: Reporte Itinerario de embarcación extranjera

Text:

PARA: EMBARCACIONES MENORES, CAPITANIA DE PUERTO, CARTAGENA

FORMATO REPORTE ITINERARIO DE EMBARCACION EXTRANJERA

ESTA ES LA EMBARCACION DE NOMBRE (Name of Vessel)

DE BANDERA (Country/Flag)

TIPO (Sailboat, powerboat, trawler)

AGENCIA MARITIMA ___(Ship’s Agent in Colombia, if known)___

ITINERARIO __(tentative itinerary in Colombian waters, approximate dates)_

PUERTO DE ORIGEN Y FECHA ___(Port you are leaving from and est. date of departure)__

NOMBRE DEL CAPITAN (Captain’s name)

English version:

THIS IS VESSEL (Name of vessel)

CARRYING THE FLAG OF (Country)

TYPE OF VESSEL (Sailboat , Powerboat )

MY SHIPPING AGENT IS (Name of Agent, if known)

ITINERARY or FLOAT PLAN ( tentative itinerary in Colombian waters, approximate dates) PORT OF ORIGIN: ( Port you are leaving from )

NAME OF CAPTAIN ( Captain’s Name )

----------------------------------------

FORMAT FOR REPORTING DEPARTURE /(arrival) TO COAST GUARD STATION, CARTAGENA)

Either call on Channel 16 or email:

To: c3i1@fnc.armada.mil.co

Subj: Reporte Salida (llegada) Embarcación Extranjera

Text:

FORMATO REPORTE ESTACION DE GUARDACOSTAS CARTAGENA

"ESTACION DE GUARDACOSTAS:"

ESTA ES LA EMBARCACION DE NOMBRE (Name of Vessel)

DE BANDERA (Country/Flag)

TIPO (Sailboat, powerboat, trawler)

AGENCIA MARITIMA ___(Ship’s Agent in Colombia)___

PUERTO DE DESTINO __(Final destination, including intermediary stops)_

PUERTO DE ORIGEN ___(Port you are leaving from)__

NOMBRE DEL CAPITAN (Captain’s name)

LA NAVE TIENE ( Number of crew members ) TRIPULANTES

LUGAR DE ZARPE O ATRAQUE_(Cartagena Bay, Dock of Club Nautico, etc)_

English version

“Attention: Coast Guard Station, Cartagena”

This is vessel (Name of vessel)

Carrying the flag of (Country)

Type (Sailboat , Powerboat )

My shipping agent is (Name of Agent)

Port of destination ( Final destination and intermediate stops)

Port of origin: ( Port you are leaving from )

Name of Captain ( Captain’s Name )

The vessel has (Number) crewmembers.

Place of departure or arrival ( Cartagena Bay, Dock of Club Nautico, etc.)

-------------------------------------

FORMAT TO REPORT SUSPICIOUS VESSELS

If you sight a suspicious vessel or for any other reason need to contact the Colombian Coast Guard anywhere along the Colombian coast:

Telephone: +57 (5) 655-0316

Satellite Phone: 881631710707

OR Email:

To:

Subj: Reporte de motonave sospechosa u otra anomalía

Text:

FORMATO REPORTE DE MOTONAVES SOSPECHOSAS A ESTACION DE GUARDACOSTAS CARTAGENA

GUARDACOSTAS

ESTA ES LA EMBARCACION (name of your vessel)

EN POSICION LATITUD (degrees/minutes Lat.)

Y LONGITUD (degrees/minutes Lon.)

RUMBO (your course in degrees)

VELOCIDAD (your speed in knots)

SE AVISTA UNA EMBARCACION SOSPECHOSA

TIPO (description suspicious vessel: fishing boat, canoe, fiberglass with outboard motor(s), etc)

COLOR DEL CASCO __(hull color, suspicious vessel)

COLOR DE LA SUPER ESTRUCTURA _(superstructure color, suspicious vessel)

RUMBO (its heading in degrees)

VELOCIDAD (its speed)

POSICION LATITUD (Degrees, minutes Lat.)

Y LONGITUD (Degrees, minutes Lon.)

HORA EN QUE SE VIO LA EMBARCACION _(Time of sighting and time zone)

English version:

"Attention Coast Guard"

This is: (name of your vessel)

Located at: (your position, degrees/minutes Lat.; degrees, minutes Lon.)

My heading: (speed and course)

I have sighted a suspicious vessel

Type (fishing boat, canoe, fiberglass with outboard motor(s), etc.)

Color of hull (of suspicious vessel)

Color of superstructure, if any (of suspicious vessel)

Heading, suspicious vessel: (speed and bearing)

Time of sighting: (time and time zone)

AND HERE IS OUR INFO:

CARTAGENA-COLOMBIA

Banking:
To exchange dollar into the Colombian peso, can be a pain in the you know what. We personally always use ATM machines and never really had any problems, other then some of the machines are not working during lunch hours. For cruisers who have to chance dollars, there’s only one bank, which will exchange for the dollar, the Colombiana Bank in Boca Grande. You will need a copy of your passport. There are many Money Exchange places and but will give you a bad rate.
Boat Work:
Manuel Sanchez, Club de Pesca, boat maintenance
Jose Castro, Club de Pesca, hull waxing, painting, fiberglass: PH: 660 4597/660 4593, very reliable
Stainless: Anacleto Maldonado, Todomar, great work and good price
PH: 668 7219, 668 7220, 668 5469,
Cel. 033 731 9201, home: 681 3355

Check-in Agents:
Manfred watch out, he’s not very reliable, try to find someone
Else. Don’t pay more then $50 for check-in and out
Together.

Computer Repair: Computer store, Centro Passaje la Moneda #2
665 5526 (great service and help)
Compusisca Astorga, Boca Grande by Cinema
665 5011/664 4271/664 639 (speak English)

Doctors: Dermatologist: Dr. Luis Miguel Covo Segrera,
Centro Medico Bocagrande, Local 1
PH: 665 1363 Ext.76, 665 0410, speaks English

Anestesiologist: Dr. Juan Trucco Lemaitre,
Hospital Bocagrande
PH: 665 3578, 665 8515, did Sid’s epidurals

Dentist:Dra. Rocio Silva de Puello,
City Bank Building 5th floor
PH: 664 5098, 658 1251

Distilled Water: Any gas station

Haulout: Todomar
Manzanilla

Internet: Hotel Chalet Suizo, Calle de la Media Luna 10-36
664 2871
Internat, Calle Real, Villa Susa, Manga
660 4382 9:30-19.00

EMERALDS:
Lee Miles, a very good friend of us, sells top quality Emeralds and the most beautiful jewlery. He also likes to meet new cruisers. Lee and hiw wife Pachi are wonderful hosts.
www.MisterEmerald.com
Cel. + 57 (300) 817 0606Tel. + 57 (5) 665 6781 - Fax: +57 (5) 665 6826Postal Mail: A.A. 20505 Cartagena, Colombia

Casa Blanca, Centro, La MATUNA, Ed. MARA. Of 202 A ,
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
PHONE #(57-5)- 664 67 93, CEL #(57-5)- 315-70 52 547,
e-mail indujoyas@hotmail.com
Jesus at Casa Blanc, Jewelry Factory, is an excellent jewelry maker, also speaks good English. He does not have much on jewelry for sale, but he does sell nice emeralds for a fraction of other stores and turns them into the most beautiful pieces of jewelry. Most of his jewelry is made for the other stores; this is the reason his prices are much lower then the stores. I got at least 15 other boats hooked on him.

Joyeria Caribe: Emerald Factory Calle 5
Boca Grande
665 4625 jcaribel@hotmail.com
Laundry: Hotel Chalet Suizo, Calle de la Media Luna 10-36
664 2871. Hot water

Club Nautico, cold water

Marina:
Club Nautico: This marina has only med tie and you have to get on and off your boat on a plank. Offer: Restaurant, Laundry service, outdoor showers. The owner is nuts and not very friendly. The docks are rather dangerous do to all the planks one has to step across.
Club de Pesca is much nicer then Club de Nautico for the same price. The docks at Pesca are more save as you don’t have to step over boards, it also is easier to get on and off the boat do to docks along side the boat. Showers are very nice and it’s very secure here.
Club de Pesca PH: 660 5578 FX: 660 5579
E-mail: cpescacartagena@ctgred.net.co

Money Exchange:
Banco Colombiana Boca Grande is the only bank, which will exchange Dollars to Pesos. Bring copy of Passport

Restaurants: Anoteca, Calle San Juan de Dios
Bahia de las Animas, across bridge from Club de Pesca
Carbon de Pallo, Plaza Santo Domingo
Club de Pesca, excellent
Crepes y Waffles, Ave. San Martin
Fajitas, across from Crepes and Waffles
La Habanita, Plaza de Santo Domingo
Mexicana, Plaza de Santo Domingo Cll.35 # 3-30
656 5503 grupo3@latinmail.com
Pelikanos, Calle Santo Domingo/Gastelbondo
660 0086
Pizza Luna, San Diego Plaza
Santissimo, Calle Santissimo
Comidas Corrientes, Local meals for 1.50 – 2.00

Sightseeing: Hotel Chalet Suizo, Calle de la Media Luna 10-36
664 2871, trip to Vulcan Totumo

Shopping: Restaurant Anoteca, Italian delicatessen
Butcher, two blocks up from Club de Pesca
Home Mart, Pie de Popa
Grocery stores: Carulla
Olympic
Viveros
Magallis
Sibaris, Spanish Deli, canned chicken
Av. San Martin Edif.Piyarro, Bocagrande 665-5520

SPA
Diego Moya Av. San Martin No. 9-96
Bocagrande 655-1518/655-1838
Diegomoyasalon@hotmail.com